Printing-press.



K. F. KIRKMAN.

Patented July 2, 1912.

4 SHEETSSHEET 14 K. F. KIRKMAN.

PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.20,1908.

Patented July 2, 1912.

1,031,344. 1: 4 SHBETS 'SHEET 3 Jizl tyz K. F. KIRKMAN.

PRINTING PRESS. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 20, 1908.

Patented July 2,1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Av 1 M. M.

LC k- UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIoE.

KARL F. KIRKMAN, or CHICAGO, rnimorsnssreivon, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'ro

AUTOMATIC PRESS FEEDER CQMPANYfOF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORAIION OF ILLINOIS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, KARL F. KIRKMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago', Cook coun'tyfi Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing-Presses, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to printing presses and the object thereof is to provide novel and efficient automatic means for supplying sheets of paper to the printing mechanism of the press and for delivering the printed sheets therefrom. These means may be incorporated in a new printing press as an integral part thereof, or may be built as an attachment to be applied to printing presses already in use, particularly those presses of the Gordon type.

The various features-of novelty and utility in my invention will be made apparent by the description hereinafter given.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a printing press with my attachment applied thereto, the printing press shown being of the Gordon type and with the platen made immovable; Fig. 2 a front elevation of. my device or attachment but on a larger scale than that of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a sectional elevation on the irregular line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a detail viewof the fluted or corrugated roller for taking off the bottom sheet from the" pile of paper; Fig. 5 a plan view of the paper supply box and its attachments; Fig. 6 a detail view of the fluted roller .and its operating mechanism viewed from the front of the machine; Figs. 7 and 8 detail views of mechanism for automatically applying tension or pressure to the pile of sheets of paper in the supply box as the sheets are fed therefrom; Fig. 9 a detail view of the jaws for gripping the paper and transferring the same to the printing mechanism of the press; Fig."10,

. a detail view of a port-ion of the side registering mechanism; Fig. 11, a detail view on a larger scale, looking at the left-hand end of Fig. 10; and Fig. 12, a section on the line 12l2 of Fig. 10.

Referring to the present embodiment of my invention as illustrated in the drawings,

I have shown my invention in the form of an attachment which is applied to and mounted upon the frame 1 of a Gordon printing press with the exception that the platen 2 thereof, instead of being: movable PRIu'riNG-PRESS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed January 20, 1908. Serial No. 411,677.

Patented July 2 191,2.

as isusual is blocked the type bed 3 being movable in the ordinary way. It will be understood, however,

that the particular type or style of printing press is immaterial and that my invention, as hereinbefore stated, may be built as an integral part of the printing press structure or as an attachment, but for the purposes of or made immovable,

an understanding of my invention I will proceed to describe the same as an attachment.

to this Gordon press modified as stated.

My attachment is provided with a main frame 4 which is secured in suitable manner to the printing press frame and forms the support for the different working parts of the attachment. At the upper end of this frame-4 I provide a box or receptacle for the supply or pile of sheets of paper which are to, be fed from thebottom, delivered to an inclined conveyer mechanism or feed way, received by a transfer'mechanism and transferred thereby to the printing mechanism of the press and thence delivered from the press by a conveyerv mechanism acting at an angle to said inclined conveyer 1necha nism 0r.feed-way and delivered by preference to a so-called jogger, all of said mo'vements being automatic in their operation. Referring to the details of theconstruction, this supply receptacle is formed by a bottom or base portion 5 and a seriesof uprightport ons or guides 6 for retaining the paper therein. Near one end of the receptacle the bottom 5 is provided with a transverse slot 5 ,-the same being near the right hand end of the receptacle when viewed as in Figs. 1 and 3, with the result that the bottom sheet of paper is always exposed therethrough. In order to adjust the width of this slot so far as the action of the fluted roller herein- -after described is concerned, -I provide a roller 6 which is adjustable in slots 6- in the depending flanges 5 of the bottom of the box, Figs. 1 and 3: For the purpose of holding this roller 6 in adpisted position the flanges 5 are slit at 5 and thumb-screws 7 are provided for closing or opening said slit, thereby clamping or unclamping the roller 6 in its slots.

Immediately below the transverse slot 5* in the paper supply receptacle, I arrange a. fluted or corrugated roll 8 in such position that its outer surface, which may be made of rubber or other suitable material w ll con tact and engage the bottom sheet of paper for the purpose hereinafter explained. This roll 8 is designed to oscillate first in an anticlockwise direction, so as to move the right hand end of the paper to the left and to buclrlethe samebetween itself and the roller 6*, as shown in Fig. 3,afteiwhich the roll 8 is oscillated in the opposite direction, that with said notches to hold the ratchet with a' yielding pressure'in the different positions to which it is moved, as hereinafter explained. Secured upon the shaftv 11 at the other side of the machine is a rock arm 1.5;

- and said shaft 11 is provided near each end with a pawl carrier 16, the one at the left hand side having a wide pawl 17 which is spring pressed toward the edge of the ratchet disk- 12 and adapted to cooperate with the ratchet teeth thereof. Parallel with this ratchet disk is a ratchet wheel 18 which is secured to one gear 10 and with which the pawl 17 also cooperates. This pawl is intended to drive gear 10, which in turn drives fluted roller 8 by its engagement with the ratchet wheel when it is in one of the deep notches, but is held out from the ratchet wheel and prevented from driving when in any other position, asfor instance in one of the shallow notches. The arm 15 is adapted to be oscillated or rocked by driving connec-- tions hereinafter explained, with t e result that the ratchet wheel will be driven by the pawl when in engagement therewith as shown in Fig. 4. When the parts are in the position shown in this figure and the arm 15.

adjacent notch which is a shallow one.

The mechanism just described is designed to actuate the roll 8 in its anti-clockwise movement only, a similar but reversed ratchet mechanism being provided at the 0pposite end of the roll to actuate it in the other direction. To this end the shaft 11, which extends across the machine, is at the opposite end provided with the similar but reversed ratchet disk and ratchet wheelsand also a pawl 19 working in a direction opposite to that of the pawl 17, Fig. 4. When therefore,'the pawl 17 is making the idle I movement just described' the other pawl 19 is active'and is oscillating the roll 8 in the opposite direction to restore it to the normal position ready for engaging the next sheet of paper.

When one end of the bottom sheet of paper has been moved to the left, as stated, its extreme right hand end when moved to the right by the return oscillation of the roll 8 will engage below the stripping fingers 20 which are spring-pressed or ad ustable'to ward the bottomof the pack or pile of sheets of paper, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. In the present instance these fingers are made from sheet metal which is stamped to provide a bearing around a crossrod 21 and also an extension 20 hearing on the under side of the bottom of the paper receptacle. To adjust the tension of these spring fingers'I provide adjusting screws 22 passing through the bottom of the paper receptacle and adapted to bear against the extensions 20" j of such fingers. By means of; these fingers the paper will be stripped from the box and the roll and will be guided downwardly and presented to the two feed rolls 23 and 24,

the latter of which is adjustable toward and away from the other roll and is also held toward such other roll with a yielding pressure, as by means of a spring 25. The paper is now fed by these feed rolls into an inclined feed way which is formed by the upper and lower carrying tapes 25 and 26 which run over the pairs of pulleys .27 and 28 and are operated in any suitable manner.

The lower central pair of carrying tapes are fingers 31 which extend from and afe'secured to a cross-rod 32 whichforms part of a frame bodily removable to the left f( Fig. 3) for the purpose of withdrawin the stops from the paperwhen the trans er mechanism is about to act thereupon. At the sides 1?- stops 30 are formed at the ends of a series of a of this movable frame parallel rods 33 are:

provided, the'same sliding in pairs of bearings 34.- This frame and consequentlythe fingers 30 are held to their normal active 'position with ayielding pressure as by.

means of the coiled spring 35 against which the frame is positively moved in the with-- drawing operation by means of the rock arms 36 which are secured to the rock shaft 37 extending transversely of the machine and provided at one end with an arm 38 carrying at its upper end a cam roller 39. Thls cam roller is operated by means of a cam wheel which will be described when the driving connections of the machine are explained.

For the purpose of transferring the paper from the stops 30 to the printing mechanism of the press I provide a transfer device which is in the form of a U-shaped frame comprising the cross member or strip 40 and two parallel strips 41, the upper portions of which arein the form of rack bars as hereinafter described. This transfer device is adapted to move up and down in a plane parallel with and substantially coinciding with the plane of the inclined feed way. The transfer device is adapted to be operated by driving connections hereinafter explained, the rack bars being adapted to' ranged at opposite ends of said strips, with the result that the gripping jaws are closed under normal conditions.

After a sheet ofpaper has been delivered to the stops 30 the transfer device is moved upwardly and just before the jaws reach the bottom edge of the paper the rollers 46 at opposite ends of the upper member or strip 43 of the jaws will contact with the cam plates 47 which form a part of the movable frame for the stops, with the result that the jaws will be opened and then will be permitted to close to grip the paper imme-.

diately upon the withdrawal of the stops 30 in the. manneralrcady explained, after having forced the paper upwardly slightly in order that the same may be brought into proper register with -the transfer device. As illustrated in .detail in Fig. 9, the lower members of the jaws are provided with a series of pins 40 whichv are preferably in pairs and between which the upper jaws operate. These pins act as registering pins for the bottom edge of the paper so that the same will be gripped and held by the transfer device in proper registered position. The transfer device Wlll now move downwardly and present the paper to the .printing mechanism of the press, after which it will move upwardly again to .deliver the paper ,to the delivery mechanism and to engage another sheet of paper. In

this operation it is necessary to deflect the paper from the plane of its previous course so as to be delivered at an angle -to the delivery mechanism, which is here shown as substantially horizontal and therefore at an angle to the plane of the feed of the paper to the press. To this end I provide a series of deflecting fingers 48 which depend from the lower cross rod 49 of a bodily movable and oscillating frame or bail whose parallel side members or arms 50'are secured at' their upper ends to the rock shaft'fil. This rock shaft is operated in proper time in comparison with the other mechanism by driving connections hereinafter explained. The 0' inner faces of these deflecting fingers 48 are parallel with the platen as to their lower ends as illustrated in Fig. 3 and are of'sufiicient length as to lap from the upper edge of the paper while it is being printed, so that when the transfer device moves upwardly the paper will move on the inner sides or faces of these deflecting fingers and will be guided or deflected laterally to the left (Fig. 3) by means of the upper portion 52 of the inner faces of such fingers which are inclined toward the left, the same ter-. minating in points 53 which deliver the paper to the delivery rolls'54 and 55. The paper is now delivered by these rolls to the series of delivery tapes 56 and 57, by which the paper is delivered from the machine or into the ordinary and well-known jogger 58 as illustrated in Fi 1. It will be understood that the deflecting fingers 48 must be 1 0 moved bodily out of the way of the transfer device in its movements and for this reason these fingers are mounted upon the oscillating frame or bail hereinbefore referred to. When the paper has been gripped by the transfer device and is about to be fed downwardly to the press, the timing of the mechanism is such that these deflecting fingers will be vmoved bodily outwardly out of the path of the movementof the paper and when the transfer device has stopped these deflecting fingers will be moved back to their active position shown in Fig. 3,

in order to operate as deflectors for the paper in the manner already explained. These guide or deflecting fingers 48 are i angularly adjustable with respect to theirframe, inasmuch as they may be individually adjusted to different angular positions on their cross shaft 49 and held in adjusted 12o position by the set screws 48*. In this manner and by these means the sheets of paper are successively and automatically fed from the supply receptacle or pile of sheets to the printing mechanism of the press and which serve to limit said downward move- 'ment at any predetermined point. In the present instance such means comprise apair of stops 59 which by preference. areprovided with small pinions 60 adapted t'ojcotion or register I provide suitablemeans operate with the rack 41? on which it isad-.

justable lip and down, this rack being the one used for'actuating the. transfer device.

For holding these stops in'their adjusted position a thumb screw 61'is employed. As

will-now be obvious, it is necessary to provide a yielding driving connection in the operating 'mech nism which actuates the.

transfer device for checking up the movement of the operating connections after the stops have come in contactwith and have been arrested by an immovable part of the machine frame, in the present instance thev (33 secured to the cross shaft 64, whic shaft is also provided with smaller pinions 65. These latter pinions mesh in the rack 66 of a vertically movable frame 67 as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1. At its upper end this sliding frame 67 is pivotally connected -through the medium of a connecting rod made in two portions 68 and 69 which have pin and slot connections for'the purpose of adjusting the length of the connecting rod. The pivotal connection between this sliding frame and the connecting rod is formed in a bearing box or journal 70 slidable vertically in a' slot 69 extending longitudinally of thecon'necting rod. 'In orderto keep the journal in its'uppermost osition at the upper end of the slot I provide a coiled spring 71 arranged in said slot, this spring forming the yielding connection. .The lower end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to alcrank arm 72 secured to the cross shaft 73 which is operated the manner explained when the driving connections generally are operated. Provision'i's made for adjusting the pivotal-connection ofthis connecting rodwlth its crank arm toward and away from the axis of rotation of such crank arm, that is the shaft 73, and to this end said pivotal connection is slidable longitudinally of the crank arm in a slot 7 2 therein, in which is arranged an adjusting screw 74 passing throug -s a portion of such pivotal connection, with the result that when the adjusting screw is rotated in one direction or the other the pivotal point of the connecting rod is adjusted or moved-in or out, as the case may be. It will now be seen that when the stops 59 are adjusted tosuch a position that'they will strike the'bearings 62 before the transfer device hasaeached a lower.p'os1- tion, to which it would normally be carried by the driving connections, the strain or pressure communicated by. the driving connections will be taken up aid absorbed by the spring 71 so that the transfer device will be relieved 'of such strain;

The supply receptacle, in the present instance, and by preference, is provided with means for applying pressure upon the pile of sheets and provision is made for keeping this" pressure uniform notwithstanding the removal of sheets from the bottom of the -p1le.

Provision is also made for an additional pressure on the pile of sheets at a point immediately above and in line with the fluted or corrugated roll hereinbefore described so vthat such roll may easily grip and feed the paper in the manner hereinbefore described.

.As shown, particularly in Figs. 1 and 5,

the frame 4 of the attachment is provided with a series of upright guide rods 7 5 which form the guides for a horizontal frame consisting of the two parallel or side members 76 and the end member 77. A supplemental frame is also provided to rest upon the pile of sheets, said frame being substantially T- shaped, as shown in Fig. 5, and comprising a member 78 pivoted to the cross rod 77 of thegmain frame and another or cross member 7-9. This T-shaped frame is normally secured to'the main frame in suitable manner, as by means of the set screws 80, adapted to bear directly against the latter frame, so that in the normal operation of the parts the two frames act substantially as one, but are separate to permit the supplemental frame to be folded back to admit a new supply of paper. This frame, which may be termed a pressure frame, is designed tobe automatically moved downwardly as the sheets of paper are removed from the receptacle or rather as, in the present in stance, such frame is moved downwardly a certain extent upon the removal of every ten to be oscillated in a manner hereinafter described, is loosely mounted upon the shaft 83 and provided on one of its arms with a pawl 85, which is adapted to cooperate with the two ratchets 86 and 87, both of which are loose upon said shaft. The ratchet 86 is what I term a hold-out ratchet, inasmuch as p it is designed to hold out the pawl 85 from ratchet 87 is secured to an arm 88, also loosely mounted upon the shaft 83, and provided with a pawl 80. This pawl is adapted to coiiperate with athird ratchet 90 which is serum-d to the shaft 83. This arm 88 is held spring-pressed with a constant tension by means of the spring 01 which transmits its pressure tothe arm 88 through the medium of the tension rod lVhcn the ratchet 87 is moved one tooth, as dcscribed,.the arm 88 will he coi-rcspoiulingly moved in a clock- 7 W180 direction when viewed as in Flg. 8, so

that tilt pawl 89 will engage the next tooth to the right and the tension of the spring will cause the ratchet 90 to be moved the dis fiance; of one tooth, thereby maintaining uponthe pile of sheets a uniform tension, it being understood that the tension of the spring 91 is communicated through the parts described and through the cross shaft to the racks and the pressure frame.

For the purpose of securing additional or increased pressure upon the pile of sheets along a line corresponding to the bottom opening in the paper receptacle I provide a pressure bar 03 which is located below the cross portion 79 of the swinging frame. order to adjust the tension of this pressure bar to the required degree I provide a series of set screws91 as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. The result of this increased pressure is to slightly buckle the entire pile of sheets, particularly the lowermost sheets, along the line where the same are presented to the feed roll.

Now describing the driving connections for the various mechanisms which have been explained, power is communicated from the large driving gear 05 through the series of gears and pinion's 96, 97, 08, 99 to drive the shaft 100. This shaft extends transversely of the machine and is provided with a pinion 101 meshing with a gear 102. This gear is adapted to drive a train of gears .(shown in Fig. 2 but not necessary to be described) for driving the conveyer mechanisms. Inasmuch as the gear 102 is secured to the shaft 73,-hereinbefore described, the crank arm 72 and consequently the transfer'device are actuated in the manner already explained. Upon the same shaft 73 is secured a cam 103 (see Fig. 3) -'which is adapted to operate both the stop fingers 30 and the deflecting fingers 48 in the following manner: An arm 104 is secured to a rock shaft 105 and provided at its free end with a cam. roller 106 which cooperates with the cam surface of said cam 103, with the result that thesha-ft 105 will be rocked and the motion thereby communicated to the frame or l-ail 50 through the medium of the arms and links 107 and 108, all as clearly indicated in Fig. 3. Now referring to the driving connection for the stop fingers 30, the

' accordingly.

cam roller 39 hereinbefore described cooperates with said cam for rocking the shaft 37 and thereby reciprocating the frame which carries said step fingers in the manner hereinbefore explained. The rock arm 15 which actuates the oscillating roll 8 is operatively connected in any suitable manner with the shaft 100 as by means of the link 109. So also, the rock arm 84 which operates mechanism for maintaining a uniform pressure on the pile of sheets of paper is operatively connected with the shaft 73 by means of the link 110, whereby such link is given the necessary reciprocating motion.

By preference I employ a side registering device for vertically registering the paper on the feedway just before it is gripped by the jaws of the transfer device. In the present instance, and as illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 10, 11, and 12, such registering device comprises a laterally shiftable gage 111 on the left-hand side (Figs. 2) of the feedway, which is adapted at the proper time to be moved or shifted against the left-hand side or edge of the paper to give it the proper vertical register by forcing such paper against a similar but stationary gage 112 on the right-hand side of the feedway and to be then withdrawn just as the jaws of the transfer device grip the paper and start to carry or transfer the same downwardly, in the mannerhereinbefore explained. As best shown in the detail views, Figs. 10; 11, and 12, the movable gage 111 has a projecting or depending portion 111 which is fitted upon a rod 113 and adjustably secured thereto by means of a set screw 114, which rod is in turn secured to a transversely slid-' ing bar 115 by rivets 116. This bar, which extends transversely of the feedway, is adapted to slide upon the under side of another transverse bar 117, to which end these bars are provided with bolt and slot connections 118 and 119. The other or stationary gage 112 is secured to a rod 120 by means of a set screw 121 in a manner similar to the movable gage, said rod being secured to the stationary bar 117. The lower or sliding bar 115 has on its lower side and near its right-hand end (Fig. 2) a pivot pin 122 to which is pivotally connected the lower end of an oscillating arm 123 whose upper end is secured to a rock shaft 124 bearing in a journal 125. This rock shaft is secured to a crank arm 126, rocked in any suitable 'manner, as by means of the cam roller 127 which is mounted at the lower end thereof and bears upon a cam surface on one side of the cam 128 secured to shaft 73. It will be understood that as the arm 123 is oscillated by the cam through the connections described, the bar 115 will be reciprocated The parts are so timed that after the transfer device has been moved upwardly, so that its horizontal registering pins engage the lower edge of the paper and lift the saline slightly from the reg stering devices or stops 30, and before said jaws of the transfer devices close to grip the paper,

said movable gage 111 is shifted laterally,that is, to the right when the machine or attachment is viewed as in Fig. 2, with the result that the paper will be moved against the stationary gage 112, whereby the paper receives an accurate register'or adjustmen't .after it has been doubly registered of paper one at a time inthe-plane of the platen, means for registering each sheet be fore its delivery to the platen, mechanism reciprocable in one direction for delivering each sheet to the platen and in the other direction for delivering each sheet from the platen after the printing operation and part- Way along the line of feed of such paper, said mechanism being reciprocable in a fixed plane which coincides with the plane of said feeding means and with the plane of the platen.

2. In a printing press, the combination, with a platen, of means for taking off sheets of paper from a pile of sheets, stopping mechanism intermediate the printing mechanism of the press and the paper supply, means for feeding or conveying each sheet separately from the supply to the stopping mechanism, and a transfer frame reciprocable in a fixed plane which coincides with the plane of said feeding-means and with the plane of theplaten, said frame being arranged to grip an edge of the paper and to transfer it to the printing mechanism and also to deliver the paper after the printing operation.

3. In a printing press, the combination with a platen, of means for taking off sheets of paper from a pile of sheets, stop mechanism intermediate the printing mechanism of the press and the paper supply for stopping the paper in its transfer to the printing mechanism, said stop mechanism comprising a laterally movable frame and a projection in the path of movement of the paper from the siipply to the printing mechanism,

means for transferring the paper to the stop mechanism, and means for engaging the pa er at the sto mechanism and feeding or P P I with a platen, of means for sheets of paper one at a time conveying it to the printing mechanisthe plane ofthe platen and for delivering.

vtherefrom after the printing operation and partway along the line of feed of such paper.

4. In a printing press, the combination of means forEtakirg off sheets of paper from a pile of sheets, stop mechanism intermediate the printing mechanism of/the press and the paper supply for stopping the paper in its transfer to the printing mechanism, said stop mechanism comprising a laterally movable frame and a pro ect1on 1n the path of I movement of the paper from the supply to the printing mechanism, means for trans ferring the paper t6 the stop mechanism,

means for conveying the paper from the stop mechanism to the,printing mechanism and for delivering the'paper therefrom after the printing operation, and a guide operating during the delivery operation to direct the paper laterally from its previous line of travel, whereby the paper is delivered.

5. In ajprinting press-:, the combination,,

means and to convey it along said plane to the platen and also in a reverse direction partway along such plane,.and means Io cated adjacent said plane and arranged to be interposed in such plane during the de livery operation to direct the paper laterally w from its previous plane of travel.

6. In a-printing press, the combination, 1 00' with a platen, of means for feeding or conveying the paper along a line of travel in the plane of the platen one sheet at a time,

means ,for stopping and registering each sheet at end of said feeding means, a movable transfer device for engaging each sheet of-paper and for presenting it to the platen, and a guide coiiperating with said transfer devicefor directing the paper laterally from its previous line of travel for delivery purposes. V

7. In a printing press, the combination with ,a platen, of means for conveying the sheets of paper one at a time from the sup: ply or pile of sheets toward the printingmechanism of the press and in the plane of the platen, a"reciprocating transfer device for engaging the sheets of paper and trans- Y .ferring or feeding them to the printing mechanism and ,subsequ ently transferring them partway of-the line of feed and then presenting the sheet to the delivery means,

delivery means for delivering the paperfrom the printing mechanism and means for stopping and registering each sheet before being transferred:

8. In a printing press, the combination con. eying the p from a-supply or pile of sheets toward'the p inting mechanism of the press and in thrplane of the platen, a reciprocating transfer device for engaging the sheets of paper and transferring them to the printing mechanism and subsequently presenting the sheets to the delivery means, delivery means for delivering the paper from the printing mechanism, a-

a reciprocating transfer device for engaging the sheets of paper and transferring them to the printing mechanism and subsequently presenting the sheets to thedelivery means, delivery means for delivering the paper from the printing mechanism, and a series.

' of fingers which are movable to an inoperative position when the paper is being fed butrestored to an operative position during the delivery operation to deflect the printed} sheets to the delivery means. i

10. In a printing press, the combination, of means for conveying the sheets of paper one at a time from a supply or pile of sheets toward the printing mechanism of the press, a reciprocating transfer device for engaging the sheets of paper and transferring them to the printing mechanism and subsequently presenting the sheets to the delivery means, delivery means for delivering the paper from the printing mechanism, the line or path of feed and line or pat-h of delivery of the paper being at an angle, and a series of guide fingers movable to and from an operative position and arranged at the point of junction of said two lines, said fingers acting when in an operative position to frame, and a series of gnide fingers depend-' deflect the printed paper to the line of delivery.

'11. In a printing press, the combination, of means for conveying the sheets of paper 1 one at a time from a supply or pile of sheets toward the printing mechanism of the press, a reciprocating transfer device for engaging the sheets of paper and transferring them to the printing mechanism and subsequently presenting the sheets to the delivery lneans, delivery means for delivering the paper from the printing mechanism, the line or path of feed and line or path of delivery .of the paper being at an angle, a swinging ing from said frame adjacent the junction of said two lines, said fingers acting to deflect the printed paper to the line of delivery,

12. In a printing press, the combination,

- of means for conveying the sheets of paper one at a time from a supply or pile of sheets toward the printing mechanism of the press, a reciprocating transfer device for engaging the *sheets of paper and transferring them to the printing mechanism and subsequently presenting the sheets to the delivery means, delivery ,means' for delivering the paper from the'printing mechanism, the line or path of feed and line or path of delivery of the. paper "being at an angle, a swinging frame, and a series of guide fingers depcnding from said frame adjacent the junction of said two lines, said fingers being angularly adjustable with respect to their frame and acting to deflect the printed paper to the line of delivery.

13. In a printing press, the combination, of means for conveying the sheets of paper one at a time from a supply or pile of sheets toward the printing mechanism of the press, a reciprocating transfer device for engaging the sheets of paper and transferring them to the printing mechanism and subsequently presenting the sheets to the delivery means,

delivery means for delivering ,the paper from the printing mechanism, the line or path of feed and line or path of delivery of the paper being at an angle,- a swinging frame, and a series of guide fingers depending from said frame adjacent the junction of said two lines, said fingers hawing the in net surface at their lower ends parallel with the platen of the press and at their upper ends inclined inwardly to deflect the printed paper to the line of delivery.

14. In a printing press, the combination: with a platen, of an inclined feedway sub}; stantially iwthe plane of the platen, a series of registering stops at the bottom thereof,

a laterally movable frame on. which said stops are mounted, a transfer device movable in a fixed plane parallel with the plane of the platen and having means for engaging the paper at the stops and for conveying it to the printing mechanism of the press, and also for partially delivering the paper after printing, and means for delivering thepaper at a point above the platen.

15. In a printing press, the combination, with a platen, of an inclined feedway substantially in the plane of the platen, a series of registering stops at the bottom thereof. a

- laterally movable frame on which said s ops are mounted, a transfer device movable in the plane of the platen and having means for engaging the paper at the stops and for co'nveying it to the printing-mechanism of the press, and means cooperating with the transfer device for diverting the paper laterally for delivery purposes.

16. In a printing press, thecombination, with a platen, of an inclined feedway substantially in the plane of the platen, a series of registering stops at the bottom thereof, a laterally movable frame on which said stops are mounted, a transfer device movable in the plane of the; platen and having means for engaging the paper at the stops and for conveying it to the printing meclm ni si'ii :of the press, and means cooperating with the transfer device for diver-ting the papfcilaterally 'for delivery purposes at'aa point above the platen.

$17. In aprinting press, the ,coni'bina:tidn,;-

a laterally' movable frame OIi' which-said stops are mounted, a transfer devicelmow' able inthe plane of the platen and'having means for engaging the paper'at' the sto pjjs'.

and for conveyinggit to theprintingl'mec anism of the press, said device-shaving rip-J; ping jaws to engage the lower edgeo "the: paper during its.. ini't-ial or downward move-,

ment to present thepaper to the printing delivery movement, and meansacotiprating,

with the transfer device for diverting-the paper laterally for delivery purposes. 1

18. In a printing press, the 'combinatioi'iwith a platen, of a feedway, mecha nismat I the bottom thereof for stopping and registering the'paper, and-a t-rarisferdevice comprising a frame movable in-line with said feedway and in the plane offthe' platen and provided with a series of=gripping jaws to.

engage the lower edge of the paper, and a stationary cam arranged in the path .of 11pward movement of one of the/jaw members foropening the same to release the printed sheet and to place it in condition to receive the next sheet.

19.,In a printing press, the combination, with. printing mechanism including a sta tionary platen, of a transfer device reciprocable in substantially the same plane as the platen for conveying the paper to the platenand then for removing it therefrom, said de-' vice comprising a substantially U-shaped "frame, whose cross portion has means for gripping the paper in said conveying and. removing operations and whose parallel portrons have means whereby the framemay be reclprocated.

20. In a printing press, the combination,

with printing mechanism including a stationary platen, of a transfer device recipro cable in substantially the same plane as the platen for conveying the paper to the platen and then for removing it therefrom, said device comprising a substantially U-shaped frame, whosefcross portion has means for gripping the paper in said conveying and removing operations, and a yielding driving connection for reciprocating said device.

21, In ajprinting press, the combination, with a platen, of a transfer device reci rocable in a fixed planeparallel with the p ane of the platen and comprising a frame which is substantially U-shape, the cross-portion having means for gripping the paper and the two parallel portions which are in the form of rack bars, and means cooperating device andincluding a yielding driving .con-

nection. .1

e 22. In a' printing press, the cohabina't-ioh,

feeding means. and with La platen, of a "transfer device reciprocable in afixed plane parallel with theplane of the platen and of the feedlngmeans and comprising a frame which is substantially 'U'-shape, the crossport-lonhaving means for. gripping the pameans whereby the device may be reciproa 23. In aprintmg press the combination, .-'with a platen, of a t-rans er-device'freciproh V cable in a fixedplane: parallel with the plane mechanism and, also duringthe ujpward or" of the platen and comprising. a frame which device.

g, arranged to move cine direction to transfer the paper' 'to the platen for i Y printing and ilrthe op :ositedirection to deliver the paper after p'r'lht-in and to thereafterkgrip thernext paper to e printed.

24. Ina printing press, the combination,

with a platen,-of a transfer device recipro- 4 cable in a fixed plane parallel with-the plane of the platen and comprising a frame which:

is substantially U-s'hape', the'cross-portion wherebythe device maybe reciprocated, and

delivery mechanism located above the platen and intermediatesuch platen and the up- ;w'ardlimit ofmovement of the cross-portion -ofsa1d' device.-

.is substantially U-sliape, the cross-portion having means, hm-gripping the paper and the two parallel portions having means whereby the device ,n ay be reciprocated, and delive mechanism located above the platen and intermediate such iplaten'and the upward limit of movement'of the cross-per tion of said devicasaidcraps-portion griphaving means for gripping the paper and. the -two parallel portions having. means ping the paper during nearly a complete reciprocation and until saiddevice on its upward, movement presents the paper to the delivery mechanism. v

'26. In a printing press, the combination, with a platen, of a transfer device reciprocable in a fixed plane parallel with the plane of the platen and com-prising aframe which is substantially U-shape, the cross-portion having means for gripping the paper and the two parallel portions having means whereby the device may be reciprocated, delivery mechanism located intermediate the platen and upward limit of movement of i 75 per and 'the two parallel port ons hav1ng the cross-portion of said device, andmeans interposed in the path of upward movement of the printed paper for deflecting the same to the delivery mechanism.-

27. In a printing press, the combination,

with a platen, of a transfer device reoipro-' cable in a fixed plane parallel with the plane of the platen and comprising a frame which is substantially U-shape, the cross-portion having means for gripping the paper and the two parallel portions having 'means whereby the device may be reciprocated, delivery mechanisnrlocated intermediate the platen and upward limit of movement of thereof for stopping and registering the-f paper, and a transfer device comprising a frame reciprocable in line with said feedway:

and provided with means for gripping the paper and also provided with a series of stop pins for stopping and registering the' paper on the frame, said stop pins being movable above the plane of said registering mechanism.

29. In a printing press, the combination of a feed'way, mechanism at the bottom thereof for stopping and registering the paper, and a transfer device comprising a frame reciprocable in line with said feedway and provided with a pair of plates one of which is movable toward and away from the other to form jaws, and pins located on one of the plates for stopping and registering the paper on. the frame and movable above the plane of said registering mechanism.

30. In a printing press, the'combination of a feedway, mechanism at the bottom thereof for stopping and registering the paper, and a transfer device. comprising a frame reciprocable in line with said i'eedway and provided with a pair of plates, one of which is movable toward and away from the other, said plates having projecting portions to form jaws, and pins arranged on tin jaw portions of one of the platesand movable above the plane. of said registering mechanism.

31. In a printing press, the combination with a platen, of a feedway, mechanism arranged above the, platen for stopping and registering thepaper While thereon, and a transfer device for transferring the paper to the printing mechanism and comprising a. reciprocating frame provided with means for gripping the paper and also provided with means for registering the aperindependently' of the other registering mechanism and during its period of registration by such latter mechanism.

32. In aprinting press, the combination, with a platen,- of a feedway, mechanism arranged above the platen for stopping and,

registering the paper while thereon, a transfer device for transferring the paper to the printing mechanism and comprisinga reciprocating frame provided with jaws for gripping the paper and also provided with means for registering the paper while in said jaws, but before the same grips the paper, and means for withdrawing-said stop ping and registering .mechan sm to release the paper after the action thereupon by the registering ,means on said transfer frame. 33. In a printing press, the combination,

with a platen, of,a feedway, mechanism ar-' ranged above the platen for stopping and registering the paper while thereon, a transfer device for transferring the paper to printing mechanism and comprisinga reciprocating frame provided with means for gripping the paper and also provided with -a series of registering pins to contact with the bottom edge of the pa er and thereby register it independently o its registration on the feedway, and means for withdrawing said stopping and registering mechanism to release the paper after being contacted by said pins. 1

34. In a printing press, the combination of a feedway, mechanism cooperating there with for stopping and registering the paper while thereon, and a transfer device for transferring the paper to the printing mechanism and comprising a reciprocating frame provided with means for gripping the aper and also provided with a registering device to register, the paper independently of its registration onthe feedway, said frame having a degree of movement sufiicient to lift the paper free from the registering mechanism on the feedway when the registering device on the frame cooperates with such paper.

35. In a printing press, the combination of mechanism for stopping and horizontally registering the paper, means for vertically registering the paper, means for delivering.

the paper after printing, and a transfer device movable in a fixed plane for-transferring the paper to the printing mechanism to be printed and for thereafter transferring it to the delivery, means.

36. In a printing press, the combination, with printing mechanism, of a reciprocating transfer devicefor conveying the paper in opposite directions in a fixed plane of movement, and de'livery means located adjacent said plane of movement, said transfer device aving means for positively gripping the paper and being arranged to transfer the paper to the printing mechanism in its moveparallel arms, and means for adjusting the degree of reciprocation of the frame for positioning the paper properly with respect to the platen, fixed bearings for said arms. racks on said arms, and said adjusting means comprising stops adjustable along the length of said arms and adapted to strike and be stopped by said bearings,'in cooperation with a train of driving connections operating on said racks, and consist ing of two pinions meshing with said racks, a shaft to which such pinions are secured, a third pinion on said shaft, a second rack meshing with said third pinion, a driving crank. and a connecting rod between said crank and second rack, said connection being yielding.

47. In a printing press, the combination of a transfer device for engaging the paper and transferring it to the printing mechanism of the press, said device comprising a reciprocating frame provided with means for engaging the paper and having two parallel arms, and means for adjusting the degree of reciprocation of the frame for positioning the paper properly with respect to the platen, fixed bearings for said arms, racks on said arms, and said adjusting means comprising stops adjustable along the length of said arms and adapted to strike and be stopped by said hearings, in cooperation with a train of driving connections operating on said racks, and consisting of twopinions meshing with said racks, a shaft to which such pinions are secured, a third pinion on said shaft, a second rack meshing with said third .pinion, a driving crank, and aconnecting rod between said crank and second "rack, said connection being made in two the platen,

parts and adapted to transmit power through a yielding member. I

48; In a printing press, the combination of a transfer device for engaging the paper and transferring it to the printing mechanism of the press, said device comprising a reciprocating, frame provided with means for engaging the paper and having two parallel arms, and means for adjusting the degree of reciprocation of the frame for positioning the paper properly with respect-to racks on said arms, and said adjusting means comprising stops adjustable along the length of said arms and'adapted to strike and he stopped by said hearings, in cotiperation with a' train of driving connections operatingon said racks, and consisting of two pinions meshing with said racks, a shaft to which such pinions are secured, a third pinion on said shaft, a second rack meshing:- with said third pinion, a. driving crank, and

a connecting rod between said crank and second rack, said connection comprising two members one connected with the crank and the other with the second rack, one of said arms,

the platen, fixed xed bearings for said arms,-

members having a yielding connection with the part to which it is operatively connected.

49. In a printing press, the combination of a transfer device for engaging the paper and transferring it to the printing mechanism of the press, said device comprising a reciprocating frame provided with means for engaging the paper and having two palallel arms, and means for adjusting the degree of reciprocation of the frame for posi tioning the paper properly with respect to the platen, fixed bearings for said racks on said arms, and said adjusting fmeans comprising stops adjustable along the length of said arms and adapted 'to strike and be stopped by said bearings, in cooperation with a train of driving connections operating on said racks, and consisting of,t.wo pinions meshing with said racks, a shaft to which such pinions are secured, a third pinion on said shaft, :1 second rack meshing with said third pinion, a driving crank, andv a connecting rod between said crank and second rack, said connection comprising two menibers'one connected with the crank and the other with the second rack, the latter being slotted, a bearinglocated in said slot and connected with the. second rack, and a spring tending to hold the bearing toward the outer end of the slot.

50. Ina printing press, the combination of a transfer device for-engaging the paper and transferring it to the printing mechanism of the press, said device comprising a reciprocating frame provided with means for engaging the paper and having two parallel arms, and means for adjusting the degree of reciprocation of the frame for positioning the paper roperly with respect to earings for said arms, racks on said arms, and said adjusting means comprising stops adjustable along the length of said arms and adapted to strike and be stopped by said bearings, in cooperation with atrain of driving connections operating on said racks, and consisting of two pinions meshing with said racks, a shaft to which such pinions are secured, a third pinion on said shaft, a second racking meshing with said third pinion, a driving crank, and a connecting rod between said crank and second rack, said connection comprising two members one connected with the crank and the other with the second fl'ack, said members being adjustable one upon the other to vary the length of the driving connection.

51. In a printing-press, the combination of a transfer device for engaging the paper and transferring it to the printing inec msm of the press, said device comprising a sitioning the'paper properly-withvrespect to 58. A feeding attachment for printing presses, comprising, in combination, a platen, a carrier movable across the face of said platen and provided at opposite sides with a pair of rack bars, means on said carrier for gripping atsheet of paper delivered thereto, a pair f gears meshlng with said racks, a shaft whereon said gears are mounted, an endwise movable reciprocatory memher for oscillating said shaft, means for reciprocating said member, a feed carrier adapted to deliver the sheet to the first named carrier, and a delivery carrier for removing said sheet from said first-named carrier to a oint remote therefrom.

59. A eeding attachment for printing presses, comprising, in combination, a platen, a carrier movable across the face of said platen and provided at opposite sides with a pair of rac bars, means on said. carrier for gripping a sheet of paper delivered thereto, a pair of gears meshing with said racks, a shaft whereon said gears are mounted, a third gear mounted on said shaft, an endwise movable rack bar enga d with said third gear for oscillating sai shaft, means for reci rocatin said last-named rack bar, means or varying the extent of movement 60. A feeding attachment for printing resses com ris1n in combination a laten a carrier movable across the face of said platen, and provided at opposite sides with a pair of rack bars, means on said carrier for gripping a sheet of paper delivered thereto, a pair of gears meshing with said racks, a shaft \vhereon said gears are mounted, a third gear mounted on saidshaft, an endwise movable rack bar engaged with said third gear for oscillating said shaft, a second shaft, means for oscillating same, a crank arm secured to the second shaft and connected to the last-named rack bar, means for feeding a sheet of paper tothe first-named carrier, and means for delivering said sheet from said first-named carrier to a point remote therefrom.

KARL F. KIRKMAN. Witnesses S. E. HIBBEN, Louis B. Enwm.

(iopiel of this potent may be obtained for nve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D, 0. 

